Dates for the 2018 textile classes have been announced. See details below. Call the Museum, follow our Facebook page or add your name to our eNotes list (left hand column), and we will let you know as new classes are added. As this program grows, we hope to include knitting, crochet and rug hooking as well as more advanced weaving, spinning and natural dyeing. Requests? Let us know!

For questions and reservations, call the Museum at 814.623.1588.

Try Your Hand at Weaving Coverlet Patterns… for Beginners – (One Day)

This class is for anyone who wonders how looms work and how antique coverlet patterns were made. Using cotton and wool, we will be weaving a series of overshot patterns, the pretty geometric patterns that were woven at home as bed coverings many years ago. The class is round robin, so students will weave a sample from each loom. The looms are all set up and ready to go when you arrive at class. Your teacher will guide you through the process and let you go at your own speed. Expect to make up to four pattern samples by the end of the day.

This is a great way to enjoy the geometric pattern coverlets at the Museum and gain insight into how they were made. No weaving experience is required. Expect to be challenged, but there will be lots of hands-on help when you need it. Take home a bit of history and perhaps become interested in a new craft. Instructor: Ann Jones.Class size limited to 4
$68 Museum members/$75 non-members
Plus $10 for materialsApril 28 (Sat)
June 3 (Sun)
August 5 (Sun)
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Beginning Weaving – (Three Days)

An introduction to weaving on a four shaft loom, this three day class will take you through two projects. The first day is spent weaving a small project from beginning to completion. The next two days are spent on a work sampler that is woven in squares, using perle cotton, each square showing a different color and weave combination. It is a reference project that makes a beautiful table runner or wall hanging when done. Instructor: Ann Jones.$205 Museum members/$225 non-members
Plus $25 for materials
April 13, 14, 15 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
November 2, 3, 4 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Intro to Spinning -- (One day)

Students will learn about the various types of fibers, how spinning works, how to prepare their own fibers, and how to spin using a drop spindle. Several types of spindles and spinning wheels will be available to try out. Instructor: Mara Riley.Class size limited to 5
$68 Museum members/$75 non-membersPlus $10 for materials
Dates to be announced.

Intro to Tape Loom Weaving -- (One day)

A look at the history of tape weaving, weave structure, materials, patterns, different types of tape looms, and how tapes were used in 18th and 19th century textiles and clothing.
Students will learn to measure out warp, warp the looms, and weave. Tape looms will be provided, but you can bring your own loom if you prefer. Looms will also be available to purchase at the end of class.Instructor: Mara Riley.Class size limited to 5
$68 Museum members/$75 non-members Plus $10 for materials
Dates to be announced.

Intro to Natural Dyes – (One day)

A look at the history of natural dyes, their use in textiles including coverlets, mordants and their effects on dye tones. Students will mordant wool and silk yarn and will dye with madder, cochineal, indigo, walnut crystals, and a yellow dye to be determined. Instructor: Mara Riley.Class size limited to 5
$68 Museum members/$75 non-members Plus $20 for materials
Dates to be announced.

Dyeing with Indigo/Shibori – (One day)

Indigo is one of the oldest dyes, used by various cultures throughout the world. We will look at the history of indigo and how the dye works (i.e. a reduced oxygen vat). Students will dye wool and silk and will try some simple shibori and space-dyeing technique. Instructor: Mara Riley.Class size limited to 5
$68 Museum members/$75 non-members Plus $20 for materials
Dates to be announced.

INSTRUCTOR: ANN JONES

Ann has been an elementary school teacher for 35 years, with a parallel 35-year career in weaving. She started weaving at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in their art department and in her early years studied Arrowmont, Penland, and Seton Hill College.

During this period, she has done art and craft shows over the eastern US. She has an historic 1776 log cabin in western Maryland as her principal studio and retail shop. Ten years ago she and her husband John set up a large teaching studio in the basement of the village church next to her log studio. This extra space lets her work with students and apprentices.

Ann sees weaving as an adventure in color, pattern and texture. She loves to watch the creative side of students as they explore weaving, and she does her best to help them learn the basics that will let them produce their own woven pieces. [close]

INSTRUCTOR: MARA RILEY

Mara has undergraduate degrees from Mary Washington College in History and Religion. She has been interested in textiles and historic costume for as long as she can remember. She is an experienced reenactor, who produces all her own "period" clothing. She also knits, crochets, dyes and works with wood, hand making tape looms, drop spindles and other items.

Maraís website http://marariley.net is a helpful and in-depth compendium of textile-related articles, (mostly) costume-related research links, knitting patterns and more. Her book, Whatever Shall I Wear: A Beginnerís Guide to Assembling a Basic 18th Century Womanís Costume, is available from Graphics/Fine Arts Press.

She lives in Waldorf, Maryland with her husband, two dogs, and an increasingly large collection of costume books and fabric.
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